Installation for the back-winding of hanks and hank holder

ABSTRACT

An installation for back-winding which comprises means for rotating about the shaft thereof at least the one cylinder of each hank holder during the hank unwinding. There is also disclosed a hank holder to be particularly used in such an installation.

[451 sept. 2, 1975 United States Patent 1191 Lussie et al.

INSTALLATION FOR THE BACK-WINDING OF HANKS AND HANK HOLDER This invention pertains to an installation for backwinding which comprises hank holders having two cylinders for holding a hank, each cylinder being rotatable about a shaft, the axes of said shaftsbeing substantially vertical, the one shaft being stationary while the other shaft is so mounted and guided as to be movable in parallel relationship with itself, to vary the spacing between both shafts.

There are already back-winding installations of this kind which have first of all the drawback of requiring a continuous control of the hank holders and a large number of workers on the one hand to supply the holders with hanks and on the other hand, to untie the threads retained inside the hanks. Said installations have moreover the drawback due to the constant danger of catching threads in the hanks, of preventing high-speed operation of the winding-machine, which added to the bobbin stoppages during the numerous releasings of catched threads, gives to said installations a low efficiency.

The invention has for object to obviate these drawbacks and to provide an installation in which the dangers of catching threads in the hanks are substantially avoided, which allows to reduce to a large degree the manpower, the workers having substantially but to supply the hank holders with hanks. Said installation due to the reliability of the hank unwinding, allows to operate the winding-machine with a speed at least twice as high as the speed of known installations while enabling to wind heavier hanks than the ones used in the known installations, for instance acrylic fibre hanks of 2 to 4 lbs and hanks of carpet thread of up to l7 lbs. The installation according to the invention has' moreover the substantial advantage of allowing to obtain collecting bobbins with an uniform hardness as thread-catching in the hanks is prevented and by the back-winding the thread tension is uniform which is not the case with the installations used up to now.

For this purpose according to the invention, the installation comprises means for rotating about the shaft thereof at least the one cylinder of each hank holder during the hank unwinding.

In another embodiment of the invention, said means are so arranged as to rotate each one of the stationaryshaft cylinders of every hank holder.

In an advantageous embodiment, said means are so arranged as to impart to said cylinders a discontinuous rotating movement either clockwise or anti-clockwise.

ln a particularly A advantageous embodiment, said means comprise an endless strip moving over rollers with vertical axes and bearing on said cylinders to be driven, said endless strip being driven through a reduction gearing by a motor so as to impart thereto a slow motion.

The invention also pertains to a hank holder and particularly to a hank holder to be used in said installation.

The hank holder according to the invention has the advantage of allowing to design back-winding installations the holders of which have the same spacing as the spindles, which prevents the loss of spindles. Said hank holder has moreover the advantage of allowing to replace rapidly the hanks on the holders. Indeed said holder may be re-stocked by a simple drawer-like motion, opposite the collecting bobbin thereof without having to be directed as in some known installations, to a central station for the re-stocking of the holders, the holders according to the invention each comprising means allowing the supply thereto of the hanks.

. For this purpose according to the invention, said hank holder comprises a frame on which is mounted the stationary cylinder shaft and on which is guided the movable cylinder shaft, said last cylinder being arranged on a movable support lwhich is attached to the end of the piston rod of a jack for changing the spacing between both cylinder shafts.

Other details and features of the invention will stand out from the description given below by way of nonlimitative example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation view of an installation according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a back-winding installation showing a hank holder according to the invention.

In the various figures the same reference numerals pertain to similar elements.

The back-winding installation according to the invention comprises hank holders l having two cylinders 2 and 3 which are respectively rotatable about substantially vertical shafts 4 and 5, shaft 4 being stationary while shaft 5 is so mounted and guided as to be movable in parallel relationship with itself, to vary the spacing between the shafts so as to allow re-stocking the holders with hanks and after such re-stocking, to stretch said hanks. To avoid any thread-catching in the hanks during unwinding, the installation comprises i means 6 for rotating about the shaft thereof the one cylinder of each hank holder during the hank unwinding. To allow varying the spacing between the holder cylinders while the installation is operating, said means 6 are advantageously arranged to rotate the cylinders whatever the spacing thereof, so as to rotate those cylinders 2 the shafts 4 of which are stationary relative to the hank holders. Said means 6 are so arranged either as to impart to said cylinders 2 a continuous clockwise or anti-clockwise rotating motion, or to impart to cylinders 2 a discontinuous clockwise or anti-clockwise rotating motion, or else to impart to said cylinders 2 in a constant or discontinuous way, an alternating rotation about the shafts 4. Said means 6 are comprised of an endless strip 7 moving over rollers 8 with vertical axes. Said strip 7 bears on the cylinders 2 and it is driven by a motor 9 with reduction gearing so as to receive a slow motion. The cylinders 2 are advantageously lined where they contact the strip 7 and so as to avoid any slipping of the cylinders relative thereto, with a nonslipping material 10. ln that case where the strip 7 is operated with a discontinuous motion, a timer not shown is provided to energize and stop motor 9, while when to the strip is imparted an alternating motion, said strip 7 is provided with an element for operating a limit member (not shown) which reverses the rotating direction of motor 9, said motor being provided with a timer when said alternating motion is discontinuous.

The hank holder according to the invention comprises as shown in FIG. 2, a frame 11 on which is mounted the' shaft 4 of cylinder 2 and on which is guided in a slide 12, the shaft 5 of movable cylinder 3, said shaft 5 being attached to a movable support 13 which is mounted at the end of the piston rod 14 of a jack 15 for varying the spacing between shafts 4 and 5 of cylinders 2 and 3. The frame Il is advantageously comprised to have the total width of the holders substantially equal to the cylinder diameter, ofa box I6 inside which are mounted thejack l and so as to be slidable therein, said support I3. The attachment means 3l for the jack l5 on frame 1l are adjustable in position so as to be able to change the location where said jack is attached relative to said frame according to the piston stroke length. To allow re-stocking the hank holders in the alley 17 provided between the holder row 18 of an installation and the winding-machine I9, the frame of each holder is provided with casters 20 and guides 2l in such a way that the holder may move along a direction in parallel relationship with that plane going through the axis of shafts 4 and 5, a simple pull on the frame moving the holder away from the strip 7 and releasing the holder to be re-stocked from the adjacent holders. To limit the travel of the frames ll by their movement in the alley 17, each holder is provided with a caster 32 cooperating with the guides 2l and a limit member 33. To insure correct positioning of the restocked hank holder and to bring cylinder 2 thereof positively in engagement with said strip 7, the holder frame comprises automatic locking members 22 which allow to secure said frame ll relative to a fixed beam 23 in parallel relationship with strip 7, in such a way that in the locked position, the cylinder 2 of each holder will engage the strip 7. To further the efficiency of the improvement brought to the hank holders by rotating the cylinders 2 to move the hanks during winding and thus avoid catching of the threads in the hanks, a circular crown 24 on which bears the hank, is provided on each one of the cylinders 2 and 3 while a thread guide 25 is arranged by the upper end of each cylinder. The thread guide 25 is mounted on the cylinder shaft and is rotatable about said shaft to allow adjusting the position thereof. The thread guide 25 is comprised of a bent wire which forms a flat closed curve at right angle to the cylinder shaft axis and located below the level of end 26 of the cylinder, the closed curve being comprised of a half circle 27 with a diameter larger than the cylinder diameter which partly encompasses said cylinder, and ofa loop 28 in the shape of an U the base 29 of which is substantially equal to the cylinder diameter. The jack of each holder allows by means of a control pedal 30 to give an adjustable tension to the hank which may have varying circumferences during winding, said jack allowing moreover with a tangled hank termination, to locate easily the hank so as to prevent thread catching. The locking members are advantageously so arranged as to be unlockable from the installation alley. Each holder further comprises advantageously a system known per se for adjusting the jack working pressure.

A test installation provided with holders according to the invention has made it possible to increase fourfold the output of an usual installation for winding acrylic thread hanks of 100 to 200 grams.

It must be understood that the invention is in no way limited to the above embodiments and that many changes may be brought therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

l. Back-winding installation having hank holders having two cylinders for holding a hank of yarn, each cylinder being rotatable about a shaft, the axes of said shafts being substantially vertical, the one shaft being stationary while the other shaft is so mounted and guided as to be movable in parallel relationship with itself` to vary the spacing between both shafts, and means independent of the yarn of the hank for rotating at least one cylinder of each hank holder about its respective shaft, during the unwinding of the yarn from the hank.

2. Installation as claimed in claim l, in which said means are so arranged as to rotate that cylinder of each hank holder which has a stationary shaft.

3. Installation as claimed in claim I, in which said means are so arranged as to impart to said cylinders a continuous clockwise rotation.

4. Installation as claimed in claim l, in which said means are so arranged as to impart to said cylinders a continuous counter-clockwise rotation.

5. Installation as claimed in claim l, in which said means are so arranged as to impart to said cylinders a discontinuous, clockwise rotation.

6. Installation as claimed in claim l, in which said means are so arranged as to impart to said cylinders a discontinuous, counter-clockwise rotation.

'7. Installation as claimed in claim 1, in which said means are so arranged as to impart an alternating rotation to said cylinders about their respective shafts.

8. Installation as claimed in claim l, in which said means are so arranged as to impart a discontinuous, alternating rotation to said cylinders about their respective shafts.

9. Installation as claimed in claim l, in which said means comprise rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinders to be driven, a motor, and a reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor and arranged for driving one of said rollers of each hank holder.

l0. Installation as claimed in claim 9, in which said cylinders are lined with an anti-slip material where said endless belt bears on said cylinders so as to avoid any slipping of the belt relative to said cylinders.

1l. Installation as claimed in claim 5, in which said means comprise rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinders to be driven, a motor, and a reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor and arranged for driving one of said rollers of each hank holder, and a timer operatively connected to said motor for energizing and stopping the same.

l2. Installation as claimed in claim4 6, in which said means comprise rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinders to be driven, a motor, and a reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor and arranged for driving one of said rollers of each hank holder, and a timer operatively connected to said motor for energizing and stopping the same.

13. Installation as claimed in claim 7, in which said means comprise rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinders to be driven, a motor, and a reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor and arranged for driving one of said rollers of each hank holder, said belt being provided with an element, and a limit member adapted to be actuated by said element for reversing the direction of rotation of said motorA 14. Installation as claimed in claim 8, in which said means comprise rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinders to be driven, a motor, and a reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor and arranged for driving one of said rollers of cach hank holder, said belt being provided with an element, and a limit member adapted to be actuated by said element for reversing the direction of rotation of said motor.

l5. A hank holder comprising a frame, two cylinders, at least one of said cylinders being rotatable by rotary means, each cylinder being rotatable about a shaft, said shafts extending substantially vertically, one shaft being stationarily mounted on said frame, the other shaft being guided in said frame so as to be movable parallel to itself, a support for said other shaft, and a cylinderpiston arrangement provided at said frame and being connected to said support for moving the same to thereby change the spacing between said two shafts.

16. A hank holder as claimed in claim l5, in which said frame comprises a box inside which said support is slidably mounted and in which said cylinderpiston arrangement is received.

l7. A hank holder as claimed in claim l5, which comprises rolling and guiding means provided at said frame so as to make the latter movable in parallel relationship with a plane passing through said cylinder shafts and so as to be movable away from said rotating means to re-stock the hank holder.

i8. A hank holder as claimed in claim 15, which comprises means for rotating at least one cylinder about its shaft, said means including a motor, rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinder, and locking means for securing said frame in fixed relationship to said belt.

19. A hank holder as claimed in claim l5, in which each cylinder comprises a circular crown substantially at right angle to its axis for supporting a hank.

20. A hank holder as claimed in claim 15, which includes one thread guide each at the upper end of each cylinder.

2l. A hank holder as claimed in claim 20, in which the thread guide mounted on each cylinder is adjustable in position relative to said cylinder.

22. A hank holder as claimed in claim 21, in which the thread guide mounted on each cylinder is so arranged on the cylinder shaft as to be rotatable about the axis of the shaft pertaining` to the respective cylinder.

23. A hank holder as claimed in claim 2l, in which each thread guide comprises a bent wire which forms a closed flat curve at right angle to the shaft of the respective cylinder and lies below the upper end of the respective cylinder, the closed curve comprising a half circle with a diameter larger than the cylinder diameter and a U-shaped loop extending from said half circle, the length of the base of said U-shaped loop being substantially equal to the diameter of said half circle.

24. A hank holder as claimed in claim l5, which comprises a control pedal connected to said cylinderpiston arrangement for controlling the movement of said support and means for adjusting the pressure applied by said cylinder-piston arrangement to said support.

25. A hank holder as claimed in claim 15, which comprises means for adjustably attaching said cylinderpiston arrangement to said frame to allow varying the stroke of said cylinder-piston arrangement.

=i l Dk 

1. Back-winding installation having hank holders having two cylinders for holding a hank of yarn, each cylinder being rotatable about a shaft, the axes of said shafts being substantially vertical, the one shaft being stationary while the other shaft is so mounted and guided as to be movable in parallel relationship with itself, to vary the spacing between both shafts, and means independent of the yarn of the hank for rotating at least one cylinder of each hank holder about its respective shaft, during the unwinding of the yarn from the hank.
 2. Installation as claimed in claim 1, in which said means are so arranged as to rotate that cylinder of each hank holder which has a stationary shaft.
 3. Installation as claimed in claim 1, in which said means are so arranged as to impart to said cylinders a continuous clockwise rotation.
 4. Installation as claimed in claim 1, in which said means are so arranged as to impart to said cylinders a continuous counter-clockwise rotation.
 5. Installation as claimed in claim 1, in which said means are so arranged as to impart to said cylinders a discontinuous, clockwise rotation.
 6. Installation as claimed in claim 1, in which said means are so arranged as to impart to said cylinders a discontinuous, counter-clockwise rotation.
 7. Installation as claimed in claim 1, in which said means are so arranged as to impart an alternating rotation to said cylinders about their respective shafts.
 8. Installation as claimed in claim 1, in which said means are so arranged as to impart a discontinuous, alternating rotation to said cylinders about their respective shafts.
 9. Installation as claimed in claim 1, in which said means comprise rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinders to be driven, a motor, and a reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor and arranged for driving one of said rollers of each hank holder.
 10. Installation as claimed in claim 9, in which said cylinders are lined with an anti-slip material where said endless belt bears on said cylinders so as to avoid any slipping of the belt relative to said cylinders.
 11. Installation as claimed in claim 5, in which said means comprise rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinders to be driven, a motor, and a reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor and arranged for driving one of said rollers of each hank holder, and a timer operatively connected to said motor for energizing and stopping the same.
 12. Installation as claimed in claim 6, in which said means comprise rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinders to be driven, a motor, and a reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor and arranged for driving one of said rollers of each hank holder, and a timer operatively connected to said motor for energizing and stopping the same.
 13. Installation as claimed in claim 7, in which said means comprise rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinders to be driven, a motor, and a reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor and arranged for driving one of said rollers of each hank holder, said belt being provided with an element, and a limit member adapted to be actuated by said element for reversing the direction of rotation of said motor.
 14. Installation as claimed in claim 8, in which said means comprise rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinders to be driven, a motor, and a reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor and arranged for driving one of said rollers of each hank holder, said belt being provided with an element, and a limit member adapted to be actuated by said element for reversing the direction of rotation of said motor.
 15. A hank holder comprising a frame, two cylinders, at least one of said cylinders being rotatable by rotary means, each cylinder being rotatable about a shaft, said shafts extending substantially vertically, one shaft being stationarily mounted on said frame, the other shaft being guided in said frame so as to be movable parallel to itself, a support for said other shaft, and a cylinder-piston arrangement provided at said frame and being connected to said support for moving the same to thereby change the spacing between said two shafts.
 16. A hank holder as claimed in claim 15, in which said frame comprises a box inside which said support is slidably mounted and in which said cylinder-piston arrangement is received.
 17. A hank holder as claimed in claim 15, which comprises rolling and guiding means provided at said frame so as to make the latter movable in parallel relationship with a plane passing through said cylinder shafts and so as to be movable away from saiD rotating means to re-stock the hank holder.
 18. A hank holder as claimed in claim 15, which comprises means for rotating at least one cylinder about its shaft, said means including a motor, rollers having vertical axes, an endless belt extending over said rollers and bearing on said cylinder, and locking means for securing said frame in fixed relationship to said belt.
 19. A hank holder as claimed in claim 15, in which each cylinder comprises a circular crown substantially at right angle to its axis for supporting a hank.
 20. A hank holder as claimed in claim 15, which includes one thread guide each at the upper end of each cylinder.
 21. A hank holder as claimed in claim 20, in which the thread guide mounted on each cylinder is adjustable in position relative to said cylinder.
 22. A hank holder as claimed in claim 21, in which the thread guide mounted on each cylinder is so arranged on the cylinder shaft as to be rotatable about the axis of the shaft pertaining to the respective cylinder.
 23. A hank holder as claimed in claim 21, in which each thread guide comprises a bent wire which forms a closed flat curve at right angle to the shaft of the respective cylinder and lies below the upper end of the respective cylinder, the closed curve comprising a half circle with a diameter larger than the cylinder diameter and a U-shaped loop extending from said half circle, the length of the base of said U-shaped loop being substantially equal to the diameter of said half circle.
 24. A hank holder as claimed in claim 15, which comprises a control pedal connected to said cylinder-piston arrangement for controlling the movement of said support and means for adjusting the pressure applied by said cylinder-piston arrangement to said support.
 25. A hank holder as claimed in claim 15, which comprises means for adjustably attaching said cylinder-piston arrangement to said frame to allow varying the stroke of said cylinder-piston arrangement. 